“Creepy Clowns. Crazy clowns. Scary Clowns.” People hiding behind masks to scare or hurt others is not new. Here are some recommendations from Kidpower about how to prepare kids to make safe choices and to support them in feeling confident instead of scared.

These six new books make it easy and fun for educators, parents, and other adult leaders to start to use our “People Safety” curriculum with children and youth in their classrooms, youth programs, and families. Stay tuned for our organizational and school packages that include training for professionals in how to effectively teach and practice skills to keep kids safe.

Action plans for preparing children for more independence, so they can stay safe when they go on sleepovers, walk to and from school, visit a relative’s house where unwelcome teasing from adult family members is common, get help from adult strangers if they get lost, or run errands – going alone through the school halls on an open campus.

Our children are the most precious thing we have, and they should be able to be safe in our communities. Here are some Kidpower recommendations about what to say to your kids when a child in your community is harmed by violence and resources to help keep kids safe.

A recap and recording of Kidpower’s “Summer Safety” Coaching call, held June 1, 2015. Read a summary transcript with links to all of the recommended resources and listen to a recording of the call. Parents and professionals called in to talk with Irene van der Zande who helped turn their concerns about safety for kids in summer camp, recreation and travel situations into step-by-step practices to help kids build confidence and skills for taking charge of their own well-being.

A recap of Kidpower’s May 5, 2015 “Turning Problems into Practices” Coaching Call with Kidpower Founder Irene van der Zande. Call Topic: Free-Range Parenting and Safety. Listen to the full audio and read a text summary of the listener questions and solution discussions.

How and when can we let our kids go out alone in public or online – and still keep them safe? At Kidpower, we believe that the answers lie in assessing different situations and the capabilities of different children realistically, teaching them skills for avoiding trouble and getting help, and providing them with life experiences to develop their independence.

Taking trips, going to camp, or spending more time on their own in the neighborhood can be great for kids in the summer. But changing routines and going to new places can also present new risks. Here are some resources providing simple steps parents can take and safety skills they can teach their kids before summer camp and recreational activities start, in ways that are fun and age-appropriate rather than scary.